Is she plucking?

[jdlilfan]

OK...I'll give you a little background info.

My TAG came from a home where her previous owners had no clue how to care for a parrot. Neglectful is an understatement. She had plucked underneath her wings, a little on each leg, some on her tummy, and some on her back. As soon as I got her home with me, I took her to the vet and he determined the cause of plucking was severe malnutrition (she was being fed crackers and cookies) and she was also left to roam around on the floor all day with a CAT! So she was subjected to an enormous amount of stress. There was no disease or illness present. *Phew.

Since she's been with me (about 4 months now), we've had no recurrence of plucking. I provide her plenty of good toys, baths frequently, lots of love and attention, and she's on a good diet...Zupreem pellets, Nutriberries, fresh fruits & veggies, whole grains, and I also do sprouting.

But today I looked in the bottom of her cage and found a bunch of downy feathers! Do you guys think these look like their molted or plucked?

I think if she was plucking I would notice? I don't see her plucking.

I'm in the process of moving 3 hours away from where I am now and I start my new job on Monday. I don't know if the craziness of packing has stressed her out?

Here's a pic I snapped of the feathers. What do you guys think?

[LovelySydney]

If you observe her directly does it look like a significant amount of feathers is missing from one area? Sometimes when they pluck they start with one spot and you can see skin pretty easily. If you dont see anything on her, like skin, than maybe she is just going through a molt. The feathers in the picture look like the ones my little one is molting, but there hasn;t been that many at once, so I couldnt tell ya if she is molting or plucking.


I hope she IS molting! Poor baby, good for your for giving her a good home and showing her some love!!

[Lisa B]

I would say moult, but keep an eye out for new feathers being pulled, then she's plucking, and yes the stress of the move can do it.

[jdlilfan]

I'm thinking she's molting. She doesn't have any new bare patches. I checked the bald spots under her wings last night and she's got TONS of new feather shoots on the right side!

[LovelySydney]

Oh well thats good news if he's molting!! Uncomfortable for him, yes, but at least he is not plucking!! I hope his new feathers grow in beautifully.